Parachute container



May 13, 1930. H. E. PARKER. sR 1,758,170

PARACHUTE CONTA INER H E, pare/3 5f:

MVWMZW l I f i l aua: m1,

May 13, 1930. H. E. PARKER, sR 1,758,170

PARACHUTE CONTAINER Filed Aug. 14. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 grvvcnhw /f I lPatented May 13, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEy HARRY EDGERTONPARKER, SIL, 0F SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA PARACHUTE CONTAINER i Applicationled August 14, 1929.l Serial No. 385,819.

This invention relates to a parachute container, and it is an object ofthe invention to provide a device of this kind which is especiallyadapted for use in connection with an aeroplane and which serves toeffectively house the parachute when not in use, yet readily permittingsaid parachute to become effective when desired.

Another object. of the invention is to provide a container of this kindwhich is supported for swinging movement in a vertical i direction andwhich is normally in substan` tially a horizontal position, togetherwith closure members or lids associated with the opposite ends of thebody of the container whereby the parachute housed within the containeris effectively protected against outside elements.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this kindwherein the ends of the body of the container are closed by members orlids which automatically assume an open position, together with areleasable means for maintaining said lids in closed 0- sition, saidlids when released automaticalll moving into open position so thatsubstantia ly' instantaneous release will be effected of the parachutehoused within the container.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a container ofthis kind which is provided with an interior casin' suitably spaced fromthe peripheral wall o the body of the container to provide a chamber inwhich the major portion of the parachute is adapted to be received, saidinside casing being open from end to end and affording effective meansto assurea substantially immediate release of the parachute whendesired;

The invention consists in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement ofthe several parts of my improved parachutecontainer whereby certain important advantages are attained and thedevice rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenientand advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitelyclaimed.

In order that my invention may be t-he better understood, I will nowproceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view partly in section and partly inelevation of a parachute container constructed in accordance with anembodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 ofFigure 1 looking in the direction of the arrow;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the sameline as Figure 2 but looking in the opposite direction;

Figure 4 is a view in elevation of my container in release position andwith the parachute extended or projected;

Figure 5 is a view in plan of one of the paper washers as hereindisclosed;

Figure 6 is a. fragmentary view partly in elevation and partly insection particularly illustrating the means for holding one of the lidymembers normally closed;

Figure 7 is a fragmentar detailed view partly in elevation and part yi.; section illustrating an anti-friction means for one of the releaserods as herein employed;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevationof one of the mountings for the outer casing;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view partly in 80 front elevation arid artl insection of the structure illustrated 1h F lgure 8.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, C denotes an outer casing ofdesired dimensions and which has its open end de- 35 fined b anoutstanding flange 1 to which is secure by an adhesive or otherwise asmay be preferred a gasketl 2 of cork or other suitable material withwhich is adapted to have direct contact a marginal portion of the lid 9member L for the forward end of the casing C. The marginal portion ofthis lid member L is defined by a flange 3 which, when the lid member L1s closed as illustrated in Fig-' ure 1, surrounds the liange 1 of thecasing C 95 and thus provides effective means to prevent water, dust orthe like from having ingress within the casing C through the front endthereof when the lid member L is closed. The opposite or rear endportion of the casing C 10 is defined by an angular flange 4 providing aseat for a gasket 5 which also may be of oo rk or other desired materialand which is maintained in applied position by an adhesive or otherwiseas may be preferred. The marginal portion of the lid member M for saidrear end of the casing C has direct contact with this gasket 5 wheninfull closed position.

Each of the lid members L and M is connected to the adjacent end portionof the casing C by a hinge 6 of a conventional spring type whichoperates to constantly urge the lid member L or M into full openposition and which also operates to provide automatic' means for movingsaid member L or M into fullopen position upon release from closedposition.

Each of the lid members L and M carries an outstanding headed lug ormale member 7 which, when said lid member is in full open position, isreceived within an expansible socket or female member 8, thus providingadditional means for effectively maintaining the lid member L or M indesired full open position.

The socket or female members 8 are preferably placed exteriorly of thecasing C at the top thereof.

Depending casing C adjacent to opposite ends thereof are the brackets orlugs 9 providing mountings for the rods 10. The adjacent or inner endsof the rods 10 are stepped, as at 11, so that they can be readilybrought into lapping relation and snugly surrounding said adjacent end.portions of the rods 10, and more particularly the lapping portionsthereof, is a sleeve 12 held in applied position by the cotter pins 14or their equivalent, said pins as herein disclosed being disposedthrough the opposite end portions of the sleeve 12 vand the adjacentportions of the rods 10. The `two rods 10 are coupled in order tofacilitate thel desired application or removal thereof with respect tothe brackets or lugs 9. The outer end portion of each of the rods 10carries a block or arm 15 xed thereto. l

The outer portion of each of the blocks or arms 15 is provided with agroove 16 which, upon requisite rocking movelnent of the head or arm 15,is adapted to receive therein a portion of the flange 1 or 4 of thecasing C and the adjacent peripheral portion of the lid member L or Mwhereby said lid member will be effectively locked in full closedposition, yet readily released upon suflicient swinging movement of theblock or arm 15 in a direction away from the casingC. Each of the rods10 and its associated bracket or lug 9 has operatively engaged therewitha coil spring 17 of requisite tension which serves to constantly urgethe rod 10 in a direction to` maintain the block or arm Y15 in from thelower portion of the locking position. As herein disclosed, the spring17 encircles a portion of the rod 10 and has one end secured to thebracket or lug 9 and its opposite end portion anchored to the rod 10.

The lapping connection 11 between the rods 10 and as further facilitatedby the applied' sleeve 12 assures said rods 1() to have unitary rotationin the same general direction under the influence of the operating arm18 fixed to one of the rods 10. The arm 18 may be operated in anydesired manner but preferably through the instrumentalityof a flexiblecable 18 or the like suitably secured to the arm 18 and leading Withinthe cockpit of an aeroplane for ready access by the aviator or otheroccupant of the pit.

Arranged axially of the casing C is an inner casing A cylindrical inform and of a diameter less than the interior diameter of the casing Cso that in the assembly of the casi'ngs C apd A an intervening space 19is provided intwhich is adapted to be substantially housed a parachute Pand the cords 20 associate therewith.

One end f the casing A terminates in relatively close proximity to theforward end of the casing' C when infits normal horizontal position andsaid end portion of the casing A is defined by an outstanding flange 21,the periph ral portion of .which being in close contact ith ltheadjacent portion of the wall of th lcasing C.- Immediately adjacent tothis Qflange21 the casings C and A are held one to the vother by thecircumferentially spaced bolts 22 and each of said bolts 22 issurrounded by a spacing sleeve 23 snugly bridging the space between theadjacent end portions of the casin'gsC and A. These bolts 22, as hereindisclosed, are four in number and are equidistantly spacedcircumferentially of the casings .C and A.

The opposite end portion-of the casing A terminates a material distanceinwardly of the adjacent end of the casing C and said end edge of thecasing A is beaded or otherwise rounded, as at 24, in order to minimizeliability of injury to the cords 20 by contact with such edge.

The sides of the casing C are provided with the diametrically opposedoutstanding trunnions 25 suitably anchored to the wall of the casing C.vThese trunnions 25 are spaced from the forward end of the casing C adistance equal to approximately one-third of the length of such casingC. As illustrated in detail Figure 9, each of the trunnions 25constitutes a member having opposed faces flat and' normally. each ofthe trunnions 25 is received within the enlarged or circular portion 26of a buttonhole slot provided in an upstanding bearing plate 27. Thedescriptive portion 28 of this slot is disposed downwardly and receivesa trunnion 25 when the casing C is in a vertical position as illustratedih Figure 4 and the parachute extended or projected. Associated' withthe enlarged opening 26 in each of the slots is a suitable anti-frictionmedium 29, as illustrated in detail Figure 9, to facilitate the desiredswinging movement of the casing C from its normal horizontal position toan upright or vertical position. Then the casing C is in its normalhorizontal position the flat faces of each of the trunnions 25 aresimilarly arranged or, in other words, the flat faces of each of thetrunnions 25 are disposed in parallelism with the longitudinal ends ofthe casing C.

The bearing plates 27 are suitably affixed to the. upper portions of theside frames30. These frames 30 are'arranged side by side in desiredspaced relation and are suitably anchored upon the upper portion of awing W of the aeroplane, or otherwise as the requirements of practicemay prefer. The upper portions of these frames 30 are provided withrearwardly disposed elongated arms 31, the outer end portions of whichbeing connected by a' saddle 32 upon which rests the rear portion of thecasing C when in its normal horizontal position and which saddle servesto prevent the casing C fronr swinging downwardly below such normalposition. The central part of the saddle 32 has a depressed portion 33which carries an upstanding spring socket or femalemember 34 to receivethe headed or male member 35 carried by the under part of the rearportion of the/casing C and thus provide means for effectively holdingthe casing C in its normal position and also effectively' holds thecasing C against being jolted or other undue or unnecessary vibrationespecially when the aeroplane is in motion.

In practice I tind it of advantage to have one of my improved containersarranged on the end of each wing and one on the tail of the fuselage.

As each of the devices is of a similar structure it is believed that thedetailed description and illustration of one is sufficient for thepurposes of disclosure especially in view of the fact that the devicesmay be otherwise arranged if preferred.

The outer end portions of the cords 20 of the parachute P are connectedto a ring member 36 or the like and to which is also attached an endportion of a cable 38. The opposite end portion of the cable 3S isanchored, as at 39, to a desired point on the aeroplane and this cableenters my improved container through the forward open end of the innercasing A. The opposed portions of the lid member L and the adjacent endof the casing C are so formed astocompensatefor the cable 38 when thelid member M is in full closed position. In loading my improvedcontainer surplus portion of the cable 38 is coiled around the windingarms 40 suitably positioned within the forward end of the casing A andanchored to the flange 21 of said casing. These arms 40 permit thecablato readily unwind therefrom as the parachute leaves the container.

The parachute cords 20 ontheloadingofthe parachute within the containerextend from the member 36 over the rear edge of the casing A and thenforwardly of the space 19 to a point closely adjacent the forward end ofthe casing A. The remaining portions of the cords are returned but infolded relation as indicated in Figure 1, and interposed betweenadjacent folds of the cords 20 are the paper washers 41. These washers41 are preferably made in two pieces with their extremities providedwith suitable interlocking means, as at 42, for maintaining saidsections in desired assembled relation.

The parachute proper has its marginal portions forced Within the space19 with the central portion of the chute stretched over the inside orrear end of the casing A- as illustrated in Figure 1. By this manner ofloading it is assured that the inside or rear portion of the casing A isin most elfective position with respect to the loaded parachute toassure the desired release of the parachute for instant inflation. Asthe parachute moves out from within the space 19 the paper washers 41hereinbefore referred to will readily fall ofi' and fly free ofeverything. When the occasion requires the use of the parachute P it isonly necessary to impart requisite pull on the arm 18 whereu on the lidmembers L and M will be released). U on release of these members L and Mthey will instantaneously swing automatically into full open positionand in view of the normal horizontal position of the casing C justimmediately upon such opening movement, air will enter within thekcasing A through the forward end thereof with resultant force to carrythe loaded or folded parachute out of the container but in a manner toeffect an inflation of the parachute P as it leaves the container. Vhenthe parachute is in full free position, as illustrated in Figure 4, thesame will offer resistance direct to the plane through the cable 38without any hindrance or obstruction being offered by the containeritself. As the container swings upwardly and when it reachessubstantially a vertical, position it will drop down a distance asafforded by the restricted portions 28 of the slots in the bearingplates 27 and thus assure the maintenance of the container in thevertical position as illustrated in Figure 4.

As illustrated in detail Figure 7, each of the brackets 9 is providedwith suitable antifriction means, as at 43, to facilitate the desiredrotation or rocking movement of the associated rod 10.

From the foregoing description it is llO ' closed positionsaid casingthought to be obvious that a parachute container constructed inaccordance with my iiiveiition is particularly well adapted for use byreason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembledand operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention issusceptible of some change and modification without departing from theprinciples and spirit thereof and for this reason l do not wish to beunderstood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formationof the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention inpractice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim l l. A parachute container comprising an elongated casing havingits ends open, lid members for the open ends of the easing` means forautomatically moving said lid members into fully open position,releasablc means for holding the lid members in closed position, saidcasing being adapted to house a parachute, means for supporting thecasing for swinging movement in a vertical direction, and means formaintaining said easing in a substantially horizontal position.

2. A parachute container comprising an elongated casing having its endsopen, lid members for the open ends of the casing, means forautomatically moving said lid members into fully open position,releasable means for holding the lid members in closed position, asecond casing support-ed within the first named casing and extendinglengthwise thereof, said second casing being opeii at both ends, saidsecond casing being spaced from the first casing. a parachute beinghoused within the first casing in the space between the two casings witha portion of the parachute overlying an end of the second casing.

3. A parachute container comprising an elongated casing having its endsopen, lid members for the open ends of the casing, means forautomatically moving said lid members into fully open position,releasable means for holding the lid members in closed position, saidcasing being adapted to house a parachute` means for supporting thecasing for swinging movement in a vertical direction, means formaintaining said casing in a substantially horizontal position, andmeans effective when the casing is in a vertical position to hold saidcasing against swinging movement.

4. A parachute container comprising an elongated casing having its endsopen and an outstanding flange on each end, hinged lid members for theopen ends of the easing, means for automatically moving said lid membersinto fully open position, and releasable means for holding the lidmembers in being adapted to house a parachute, said releasable meanscomprising a pair of pivoted slotted arms i'eleasably engaging theoutstanding flange of the casing and the outer edge of said lid members.

rA ...1t tu.. o. paiac iu e con ainci comprising an elongated ea singhaving its ends open. hinged lid members for the open ends of thecasing, said lid means for automatically moving members into fully openposition, releasable means for holding` the lid members in closedposition, said casing being adapted to house a parachute, and coactingmeans carried by the casing and the lid members for holding said lidmembers in fully open position, said releasablc means comprising a pairof pivoted slotted arms releasably engaging the ends of the casing andthe outer edge of said lid members.

In testimony whereof l hereunto aliX my signature.

HARRY E. PARKER, SR.

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